Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya Releases 4th State Food Safety Index

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya released the FSSAI 4^th State Food Safety Index (SFSI) to measure the performance of States across five parameters of food safety in an effort to galvanize States/UTs to work towards ensuring safe food for citizens. SFSI was established in 2018-19 with the goal of bringing about a competitive and positive change in the country's food safety ecosystem. The index will aid in providing our citizens with safe and nutritious food.

On World Food Safety Day, Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya thanked all stakeholders and stated that such awards help recognize people's efforts. Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the importance of nation and nutrition, and that for a Samruddh Bharat, we need a Swasthya Bharat, and for a Swasthya Bharat, we need a Swasthya Nagrik. He emphasized that healthcare has seen holistic development in the country in recent years.

Dr. Mandaviya said that the government is committed to ensuring health security for all citizens in the country and that the National Health Mission is focusing on primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare fronts with initiatives such as Health and Wellness Centers district hospital strengthening. He praised FSSAI for its critical role in providing healthy and nutritious food to our country's citizens. "It is important to note that states play an important role in ensuring food safety and healthy eating habits." It is imperative that we work together to ensure a healthy nation," he added.

Union Health Minister congratulated the winning States/UTs based on the ranking for 2021-22 for their outstanding performance across all parameters. This year, Tamil Nadu ranked first among the larger states, followed by Gujarat and Maharashtra. Goa was first among the smaller states, followed by Manipur and Sikkim. Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, and Chandigarh ranked first, second, and third among UTs, respectively. Dr. Mandaviya also recognized states that improved significantly in the State Food Safety Index.

Health Minister also felicitated 11 winning smart cities of the EatSmart Cities Challenge, launched by FSSAI last year in collaboration with the Smart Cities Mission under the aegis of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, to encourage Smart Cities to develop and implement a plan that supports a healthy, safe, and sustainable food environment through adoption of various Eat Right India initiatives (MoHUA). He also presented awards to the winners of the Eat Right Research Challenge for Cities and Districts, as well as the Eat Right Research Awards and Grants.

Dr. Mandaviya also launched several innovative FSSAI initiatives, including the Eat Right Research Awards and Grants – Phase II. Eat Right Creativity Challenge – Phase III, a school-level competition, and an Ayurvedic logo Aahar is a combination of the initials Ayurveda and Ahara, with five leaves representing the five elements of nature. This logo would be useful in developing a distinct identity, facilitating the identification, and demonstrating proven health and wellness benefits.

Furthermore, Union Health Minister released a number of ebooks that advocate for and capture innovative recipes for oil-free cooking and sugar-free desserts. He also introduced Khadyanjali, a quarterly magazine published by the FSSAI's Rajbhasha Division; Guidance Document on Food-Borne Disease Outbreak Investigation and Microbiological Process Control, Sampling and Testing of Fish and Fishery Products, and so on.

In encouraging participants and congratulating them on World Food Safety Day, Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary, stated that a multifaceted and multi-stakeholder approach involving industries, government machinery, regulators, and others is required, and awareness must be created at every level of society.

Arun Singhal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), FSSAI, stated that the country's food testing paradigm is being improved in mission mode, and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with States/UTs to closely monitor food safety implementation in their respective areas.

Rajeev Kumar Jain, Executive Director, and other dignitaries from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare were also present, as were senior officials from the State Food Safety Departments and Municipal Corporations/Smart City Offices, as well as professionals in food and nutrition, Development agencies, food businesses, and other stakeholders.